Chrysanthemum plant named ‘DLFMARA1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Chrysanthemum  plant named ‘DLFMARA1’, characterized by its upright plant habit; uniform growth habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate; durable dark green-colored leaves; strong upright flowering stems; freely flowering habit; anemone-type inflorescences with white-colored ray florets; relative tolerance to low and high production temperatures; relative resistance to White Rust; and good postproduction longevity.

Botanical designation: Chrysanthemum X morifolium.

Cultivar denomination: ‘DLFMARA1’.

A Japanese Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant wasfiled by the Assignee, Deliflor Royalties B.V. of Maasdijk, TheNetherlands on Jun. 21, 2021, application number 35513. Foreign priorityis not claimed to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Chrysanthemum x morifolium,typically grown as a cut flower Chrysanthemum and hereinafter referredto by the name ‘DLFMARA1’.

The new Chrysanthemum plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Maasdijk, The Netherlands. The objective ofthe breeding program is to create new cut flower Chrysanthemum plantswith unique and attractive inflorescences.

The new Chrysanthemum plant originated from a cross-pollination inFebruary, 2018 of a proprietary selection of Chrysanthemum x morifoliumidentified as code number KR 2008.6601-1, not patented, as the female,or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Chrysanthemum xmorifolium identified as code number KR 2013.2342-1, not patented, asthe male, or pollen, parent. The new Chrysanthemum plant was discoveredand selected as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of thestated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment inMaasdijk, The Netherlands in April, 2019.

Asexual reproduction of the new Chrysanthemum plant by vegetativeterminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk,The Netherlands since April, 2019 has shown that the unique features ofthis new Chrysanthemum plant are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DLFMARA1’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DLFMARA1’ as a new and distinct Chrysanthemumplant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit; uniform growth habit.    -   2. Vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.    -   3. Durable dark green-colored leaves.    -   4. Strong upright flowering stems.    -   5. Freely flowering habit.    -   6. Anemone-type inflorescences with white-colored ray florets.    -   7. Relatively tolerant to low and high production temperatures.    -   8. Relatively resistant to White Rust.    -   9. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ primarily from plants of thefemale parent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Leaves of plants of the new Chrysanthemum have shallower        proximal sinuses than leaves of plants of the female parent        selection.    -   2. Inflorescences of plants of the new Chrysanthemum have more        ray florets than inflorescences of plants of the female parent        selection.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ primarily from plants of the maleparent selection in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Disc florets of plants of the new Chrysanthemum are longer        than disc florets of plants of the male parent selection.    -   2. Plants of the new Chrysanthemum are more resistant to White        Rust than plants of the male parent selection.

Plants of the new Chrysanthemum can be compared to plants ofChrysanthemum X morifolium ‘Annecy White’, not patented. In side-by-sidecomparisons, plants of the new Chrysanthemum differ primarily fromplants of ‘Annecy White’ in inflorescence size as plants of the newChrysanthemum have smaller inflorescence than plants of ‘Annecy White’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Chrysanthemum plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 ) is a side perspective viewof a typical flowering stem of ‘DLFMARA1’ grown as a spray-type cutflower.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 ) is a close-up view of upper(left) and lower (right) surfaces of typical inflorescences and typicalleaves of ‘DLFMARA1’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the autumn in ground beds in aglass-covered greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands and under culturalpractices typical of commercial cut Chrysanthemum production. Plantswere initially given long day/short night treatments followed by shortday/long night treatments to induce flower initiation and development.During the production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 18° C.to 25° C., night temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and lightlevels averaged 8 klux. Plants were grown as single-stem spray-typeplants and were eight weeks old when the photographs and the descriptionwere taken. In the following description, color references are made toThe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except wheregeneral terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum X morifolium ‘DLFMARA1’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Proprietary selection of            Chrysanthemum x morifolium identified as code number KR            2008.6601-1, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Proprietary selection of            Chrysanthemum x morifolium identified as code number KR            2013.2342-1, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Terminal vegetative cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About six days at            temperatures about 24° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About eight days at            temperatures about 22° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About twelve            days at temperatures about 24° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About two            weeks at temperatures about 22° C.        -   Root description.—Fine, fibrous; typically creamy white in            color, actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate            temperature and physiological age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching, medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Herbaceous anemone-type cut flower            that is typically grown as a single stem spray-type; upright            plant habit; vigorous growth habit and rapid growth rate.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 68.9            cm.        -   Plant height, soil level to top of inflorescence            plane.—About 73.8 cm.        -   Plant (spray) diameter.—About 16.9 cm.        -   Flowering stem length.—About 63.9 cm.        -   Flowering stem diameter.—About 6 mm.        -   Flowering stem internode length.—About 3 cm.        -   Flowering stem strength.—Strong.        -   Flowering stem aspect.—Erect.        -   Flowering stem texture and luster.—Moderately pubescent;            slightly glossy.        -   Flowering stem color, developing.—Close to 137C.        -   Flowering stem color, developed.—Close to 143B to 143C; at            the ridges, tinged with close to 177C to 177D.        -   Leaf description.—Arrangement: Alternate; simple. Length:            About 10.3 cm. Width: About 4.9 cm. Shape, in overall            outline: Obovate to broadly elliptic and oblong. Apex: Short            apiculate. Base: Long attenuate. Margin: Palmately lobed,            coarsely dentate to serrate; sinuses divergent and medium in            depth. Texture and luster, upper surface: Moderately            pubescent; not rugose; slightly velvety; matte to slightly            glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface: Densely            pubescent; not rugose; slightly velvety; slightly glossy.            Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Developing leaves, upper            surface: Close to 137B. Developing leaves, lower surface:            Close to a blend of 146B and 147B. Fully developed leaves,            upper surface: Close to NN137A; venation, close to 143B.            Fully developed leaves, lower surface: Close to 147B;            venation, close to 146B to 146C. Petioles: Length: About            5 mm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm by 4.5 mm. Strength: Moderately            strong. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Moderately pubescent; moderately glossy. Color, upper            surface: Close to 146B; edges, close to NN137B. Color, lower            surface: Close to 146C; edges, close to 147B. Stipules:            Quantity and appearance: Two leafy stipules, opposite, at            the petiole attachment to the stem. Length: About 5 mm.            Width: About 5 mm. Shape: Deltoid to broadly ovate; apex,            apiculate to acute; base, broadly cuneate; margins, entire.            Texture and luster, upper surface: Moderately pubescent;            matte to slightly glossy. Texture and luster, lower surface:            Densely pubescent; slightly glossy. Color, upper surface:            Close to NN137A. Color, lower surface: Close to 147B.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Anemone-type inflorescence form with            tubular-shaped ray and disc florets; inflorescences, rotate            and flattened globular in overall shape; inflorescences            borne perpendicular to peduncles and face upright; ray and            disc florets develop acropetally on a capitulum.        -   Fragrance.—Faintly fragrant; typical of Chrysanthemums.        -   Flowering response.—Under natural conditions, plant flower            in the autumn/winter in the Northern Hemisphere; at other            times of the year, inflorescence initiation and development            can be induced under short day/long night conditions (at            least 13.5 hours of darkness); uniform flowering habit and            short response time, plants exposed to two weeks of long            day/short night conditions after planting followed by            photoinductive short day/long night conditions flower about            43 days later when grown as a spray-type.        -   Postproduction longevity.—Good postproduction longevity;            after a seven-day storage period, cut flowers will maintain            good color and substance for about two weeks in an interior            environment; inflorescences persistent.        -   Quantity of inflorescences.—Only grown as a spray-type,            typically about 15 to 27 inflorescences will develop per            flowering stem.        -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: About 5 cm. Depth (height):            About 2.2 cm. Disc diameter: About 2.7 cm; conspicuous.        -   Receptacles.—Height: About 3.5 mm. Diameter: About 5 mm.            Shape: Broadly deltoid. Color: Close to 145B.        -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 9 mm. Diameter: About            1.2 cm. Shape: Flattened globular. Texture and luster:            Slightly to moderately pubescent; slightly glossy. Color:            Developing involucral bracts, close to 137B and 145B;            developing ray florets, close to 155C.        -   Ray florets.—Quantity and arrangement: About 29 to 34            arranged in a single whorl. Length: About 2.6 cm, varying            between 2.4 cm and 2.8 cm. Width: About 3 mm. Shape:            Tubular; margins fused, only open at the apex. Apex: Retuse            to shallowly emarginate. Margin, free part: Entire. Aspect:            About 60° from vertical. Texture and luster, inner surface:            Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; matte. Texture and            luster, outer surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety;            slightly glossy. Color: When opening, inner and outer            surfaces: Close to NN155D. Fully opened, inner and outer            surfaces: Close to NN155D; towards the base, close to 145A;            venation, similar to lamina colors; color does not change            with subsequent development.        -   Disc florets.—Quantity and arrangement: About 200 spirally            arranged at the center of the receptacle in about ten            whorls. Length: About 1.5 cm. Diameter: About 2.5 mm. Shape:            Tubular. Apex: Retuse to shallowly emarginate. Margin, free            part: Entire. Texture and luster, inner surface: Smooth,            glabrous; slightly velvety; matte. Texture and luster, outer            surface: Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; slightly            glossy. Color: When opening, inner and outer surfaces: Close            to 145D; towards the apex, close to 150A. Fully opened,            inner and outer surfaces: Close to NN155D; towards the base,            close to 145A; color does not change with subsequent            development.        -   Involucral bracts.—Quantity and arrangement: About 28            arranged in about three whorls. Length: About 1 cm. Width:            About 2.5 mm. Shape: Oblong to narrowly ovate. Apex: Bluntly            acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster,            upper surface: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Texture and luster,            lower surface: Moderately pubescent; matte. Color, upper            surface: Close to 143A; lateral margins, translucent and            close to 156D, apical margins tinged with close to 199C.            Color, lower surface: Close to 137A; lateral margins,            translucent and close to 156D, apical margins tinged with            close to 199C.        -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 7.6 cm.            Diameter, terminal peduncle: About 2.5 mm. Length, third            peduncle: About 7.9 cm. Diameter, third peduncle: About            2.5 mm. Strength, all peduncles: Strong. Aspect, terminal            peduncle: Upright. Aspect, third peduncle: About 30° from            vertical. Texture and luster, all peduncles: Moderately to            densely pubescent; slightly glossy. Color, all peduncles:            Close to 143A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Present on disc florets            only. Quantity: About five per floret. Filament length:            About 2.5 mm. Filament color: Close to 145C. Anther size:            About 2 mm by 5 mm. Anther shape: Narrowly oblong. Anther            color: Close to 13A. Pollen amount: Scarce. Pollen color:            Close to 13C to 13D. Gynoecium: Present on both ray and disc            florets. Quantity: One per floret. Pistil length: About            5 mm. Style length: About 4 mm. Style color: Close to 150C.            Stigma diameter: About 0.2 mm. Stigma shape: Cleft,            decurrent. Stigma color: Close to 153D. Ovary color: Close            to 157A.        -   Seeds and fruits.—To date, seed and fruit development have            not been observed on plants of the new Chrysanthemum.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Chrysanthemum have    been observed to be relatively resistant to White Rust PhNL1    (Puccinia horiana). To date, plants of the new Chrysanthemum have    not been observed to be resistant to pest and other pathogens common    to Chrysanthemum plants grown under commercial conditions.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Chrysanthemum have been    observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about −12° C. to    35° C. and to be suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8 to 10.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named‘DLFMARA1’ as illustrated and described.